The FIFA World Cup has one of the most unique and compelling formats of any tournament in the world of sports, thanks in large part to its global scale -- 32 teams go toe-to-toe, literally -- and its compact, month-long schedule.
No matter which country you're pulling for, supporting your team is essential during the mid-June to mid-July showdown -- you've already got your team socks, yes? -- and doing so in a convivial and public way is part of the joy for fans.
Let’s take a look at some of the Bay Area spots where fans can catch some World Cup action, starting with a couple outdoor-viewing options.
In downtown San Jose, there will be 20 matches played on the big screen along with live music and the best street food in town. First round games will be screened at Cesar Chavez Plaza on Saturday, June 14, starting at 8:30 a.m. The second round, quarterfinal and final matches will be held at St. James Park on Saturday, June 21. For details of the events, click here: http://www.sjearthquakes.com/summerofsoccer
There will also be outdoor events in San Francisco for the whole family to enjoy. In the City, the matches will be presented at the Civic Center Plaza. Football games, youth clinics and art activities will all be offered for children in attendance. The event begins on Saturday, June 14, starting with the match on Monday where Greece plays Colombia. For the full itinerary of the live matches, click here: http://www.worldcupsf.com/#!schedule/cjg9
And, for those who prefer to watch the matches together with their favorite food and drink, here's a list of restaurants and bars that also broadcast the matches and events with the World Cup:
Sports
San Francisco
McTeague's, 1237 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Union Square Sport’s Bar 115 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Public House, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107
Momo’s, 760 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Roccapulco, 3140 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
The Kezar Pub, 770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
The Phoenix Bar & Irish Gathering, 811 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Pisco Latin Lounge 1817 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Oakland
Era Art Bar & Lounge, 19 Grand Ave Oakland, CA 94612
3000 Broadway, 3000 Broadway Oakland, CA 94611 (enter Brook Street and 30th Street)
Luka's Tap Room, 2221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 941612
World Ground Cafe, 3726 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619
San Jose
Jack’s Bar & Lounge, 167 E Taylor St, San Jose, CA 95112
Britannia Arms Downtown, 173 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA, 95113
San Jose Bar & Grill, 85 South 2nd Street, San Jose, CA, 95113
4th St. Pizza Co., 150 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113
Rookies Sports Lodge, 1535 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
O’Flaherty’s, 25 N. San Pedro St., San Jose, CA 95110
Finals Viewing Party at Gordon Biersch brewery (Hosted by San Jose Earthquakes), 357 East Taylor Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Los Gatos
Double D’s Sports Grille, 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Campbell
Katie Blooms, 369 East Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008
Santa Clara
The Hut, 3200 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Wicked Chicken, 2565 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Sunnyvale
Lilly Mac’s Restaurant and Pub, 187 S Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Cupertino
Duke of Edinburgh, 10801 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
Mountain View
Agave Mexican Bistro, 194 Castro St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Millbrae
Fiddler’s Green, 333 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030
The complete World Cup schedule is posted here.
